chart.js vs d3 vs highcharts vs @swimlane/ngx-charts
Data Visualization Libraries Comparison
1 Year
chart.jsd3highcharts@swimlane/ngx-chartsSimilar Packages:
What's Data Visualization Libraries?

Data visualization libraries are essential tools in web development that allow developers to create interactive and visually appealing charts and graphs. They help in transforming complex data sets into understandable visual formats, making it easier for users to interpret and analyze information. Each library has its unique strengths, catering to different needs and preferences in terms of ease of use, customization, and performance.

Package Weekly Downloads Trend
Github Stars Ranking
Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
chart.js4,306,61665,4154.95 MB46510 days agoMIT
d33,649,978109,946871 kB21a year agoISC
highcharts1,245,17523046 MB42 months agohttps://www.highcharts.com/license
@swimlane/ngx-charts155,5304,3114.64 MB871a month agoMIT
Feature Comparison: chart.js vs d3 vs highcharts vs @swimlane/ngx-charts

Ease of Use

  • chart.js:

    Chart.js is known for its simplicity and ease of use. It allows developers to create basic charts quickly with just a few lines of code, making it ideal for beginners or projects that need quick visualizations without heavy customization.

  • d3:

    D3.js has a steeper learning curve due to its powerful and flexible nature. It requires a good understanding of JavaScript and the DOM, making it less beginner-friendly but highly customizable for advanced users.

  • highcharts:

    Highcharts offers a user-friendly API and extensive documentation, making it relatively easy to get started. However, its full potential is unlocked when utilizing its advanced features, which may require additional learning.

  • @swimlane/ngx-charts:

    @swimlane/ngx-charts is designed specifically for Angular, making it easy to integrate and use within Angular applications. It provides a straightforward API and a variety of pre-built chart components that require minimal configuration.

Customization

  • chart.js:

    Chart.js offers basic customization options, such as colors, labels, and tooltips. However, it may not be as flexible as other libraries for complex visualizations.

  • d3:

    D3.js excels in customization, allowing developers to manipulate every aspect of the visualization. It provides a powerful API for creating unique and intricate visual representations of data, making it the go-to choice for complex projects.

  • highcharts:

    Highcharts provides extensive customization options, including themes, styles, and interactive features. It allows developers to create visually appealing and highly functional charts with ease.

  • @swimlane/ngx-charts:

    @swimlane/ngx-charts provides a range of customization options through Angular's data binding and component architecture, allowing developers to tailor charts to fit their application's needs easily.

Performance

  • chart.js:

    Chart.js performs well for basic charts and small datasets, but may struggle with larger datasets or highly interactive visualizations due to its rendering approach.

  • d3:

    D3.js is highly performant for complex visualizations, as it directly manipulates the DOM. However, performance can vary based on the complexity of the visualizations and the efficiency of the code written by the developer.

  • highcharts:

    Highcharts is optimized for performance and can handle large datasets efficiently. It uses SVG rendering, which provides good performance across different browsers and devices.

  • @swimlane/ngx-charts:

    @swimlane/ngx-charts is optimized for Angular applications, ensuring good performance with responsive charts that adapt to different screen sizes without significant overhead.

Licensing

  • chart.js:

    Chart.js is open-source and free under the MIT license, allowing for commercial use without licensing fees, which is beneficial for startups and small projects.

  • d3:

    D3.js is also open-source and free to use under the BSD license, providing flexibility for both personal and commercial projects without licensing concerns.

  • highcharts:

    Highcharts requires a license for commercial use, which can be a consideration for businesses. However, it is free for personal and non-commercial use, making it accessible for individual developers.

  • @swimlane/ngx-charts:

    @swimlane/ngx-charts is open-source and free to use, making it an attractive option for developers looking for a cost-effective solution for Angular applications.

Community and Support

  • chart.js:

    Chart.js has a large community and extensive documentation, making it easy to find support and resources for troubleshooting and learning.

  • d3:

    D3.js has a robust community with numerous tutorials, examples, and forums available. However, due to its complexity, finding specific solutions may require more effort compared to simpler libraries.

  • highcharts:

    Highcharts has a strong support system, including detailed documentation, a dedicated support team, and an active community, making it easier for developers to get help when needed.

  • @swimlane/ngx-charts:

    @swimlane/ngx-charts has a growing community, especially among Angular developers, with good documentation and examples available to assist users.

How to Choose: chart.js vs d3 vs highcharts vs @swimlane/ngx-charts
  • chart.js:

    Choose Chart.js for its simplicity and ease of use, especially for projects that require quick setup and basic charting capabilities. It is ideal for developers who want to create simple charts without extensive customization.

  • d3:

    Choose D3.js if you need maximum flexibility and control over your visualizations. It is suitable for complex data-driven documents and allows for the creation of highly customized and interactive visualizations, but it comes with a steeper learning curve.

  • highcharts:

    Choose Highcharts if you require a feature-rich library with extensive charting options and support for various chart types. It is particularly useful for commercial applications due to its licensing model and offers a wide range of built-in features.

  • @swimlane/ngx-charts:

    Choose @swimlane/ngx-charts if you are working within an Angular application and need a library that integrates seamlessly with Angular's ecosystem, providing a variety of responsive and customizable chart types with minimal configuration.

README for chart.js

https://www.chartjs.org/
Simple yet flexible JavaScript charting for designers & developers

Downloads GitHub Workflow Status Coverage Awesome Discord

Documentation

All the links point to the new version 4 of the lib.

In case you are looking for an older version of the docs, you will have to specify the specific version in the url like this: https://www.chartjs.org/docs/2.9.4/

Contributing

Instructions on building and testing Chart.js can be found in the documentation. Before submitting an issue or a pull request, please take a moment to look over the contributing guidelines first. For support, please post questions on Stack Overflow with the chart.js tag.

License

Chart.js is available under the MIT license.